Courchevel Ski Holidays

Description

Courchevel is a French ski resort spread across 4 villages at the northern end of the mighty Three Valleys ski area. With neighbouring La Tania, Meribel, les Menuires and Val Thorens within easy reach to the south, the scope of runs available is incredible.

The outstanding range of pistes, quality of tuition, range of accommodation and potential for off-piste skiing mean Courchevel is well suited to skiers of all levels, and anyone from beginners, intermediate and even advanced skiers can make the most of the slopes on offer to challenge themselves and become better skiers.

Courchevel Le Praz

The charming and traditional base village of Courchevel Le Praz sits at 1300 metres above sea level, at the base of the valley. The cobbled streets are dotted with family run ski hire shops, quaint bars and restaurants, and the gondola lift offers easy access to the higher slopes. Le Praz is a haven for those keen to escape the hubbub of the higher resorts, but there is a welcoming après ski scene. A highlight is the lively and friendly l’Eléphant Bar, popular amongst seasonnaires, locals and visitors alike. Regular live music nights and televised sporting events make it a popular choice and well worth a visit.

Courchevel Village

At 1,550 metres, Courchevel Village is well connected to the rest of the ski area with convenient accommodation at generally lower prices than elsewhere in the valley. The après ski scene is more low-key here, and it’s not as pretty as the other villages, but if Courchevel Village proves anything it’s that Courchevel and the slopes around the valley are easily accessible to skiers on a smaller budget.

Courchevel Moriond

Moriond sits at 1,600 meters and is home to many of Courchevel’s livelier après ski venues. Moriond is a less glitzy alternative to its swankier neighbour, but with excellent ski access and a wide range of bars and amenities, it’s a very lively and popular part of the resort to stay in. Moriond links very well to the rest of the Courchevel valley, and visitors to this area are well placed to make the most of the spectacular skiing on offer.

Courchevel

At 1,800 metres, Courchevel itself is the best-known village in the valley. Visitors here with a bulging budget can arrive by private plane into the Altiport landing strip, dine in Michelin-starred restaurants, peruse top-end jewellers’ shops and enjoy some of the highest standards of chalet and hotel accommodation of anywhere in the Alps. This area is also dominated by expensive cocktail venues with pricey drink menus, but more affordable venues can be found.

However, you’d be mistaken in thinking Courchevel offers only luxury properties as the range of budget and mid-range accommodation is also excellent, and this part of the resort also offers outstanding facilities for families.

Getting There

Getting to Courchevel is easy by air, road or rail. The resort offers a huge range of UK tour operator-run properties with flights and transfers included from a range of UK airports, making planning their next skiing trip a walk in the park for UK tourists.

Unless you have booked a package where travel is organised for you then you will want to think about the best way for you to get to resort.

Fly

Visitors planning their flights separately can choose to arrive into Chambery, which has a 2 hour transfer time. Alternatively you can land in Geneva, Lyon or Grenoble airports, which all have a transfer time of 2-3 hours.

The most common route is to fly. There are four local airports to Courchevel:

• Geneva – 149km – 3 hours

• Lyon – 187km – 3 hours

• Chambery – 110km – 2 hours

• Grenoble – 174km – 2 hours

Transfers from the airport

There are several transfer companies who offer shared and private transfers from the airport into resort. It is worth checking transfer arrangements before booking flights especially if you are looking for a shared transfer as these are less regular and you don’t want to be waiting around for hours at the airport.

Alps2Alps provide private transfers from Geneva, Chambery, Grenoble and Lyon.

Alti Bus provides shared transfers from Geneva, Chambery and Lyon.

Bens Bus provides low cost shared transfers from Geneva, Grenoble and Lyon.

Cool Bus provides private transfers from Geneva, Grenoble, Chambery and Lyon.

Europe Transfer provides private and shared airport transfers from Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble and Chambery.

Ski Lifts have been awarded the world’s best ski transfer operator in the world ski awards. They provide private and shared transfers from Geneva, Grenoble, Lyon and Chambery.

Snowbus provides shared transfers from Geneva on Saturdays and Sundays and private transfer from Geneva, Grenoble, Chambery and Lyon every day.

3VT provides private transfers from Geneva, Lyon, Chambery and Grenoble.

Train

The snow train is a popular option for Brits heading out to resort. The Eurostar runs directly from London St Pancras and Ashford in Kent to Moutiers and taking approximately 8 hours. The train runs every Saturday between December and April, and night trains on Fridays from January to April. The train is a good option if you have a lot of luggage as its generous allowance means you can take your skis and snowboard as well as two suitcases at no extra charge. Moutier is approximately 25km away from Courchevel.

Moutiers train station sits within only about 30 minutes’ drive from Courchevel. The train offers a wonderfully hassle-free method of getting to Courchevel and with clever timing you can even fit in an extra day’s skiing, before travelling home on the night train.

Drive

If you are planning on driving to resort, you can either travel via the channel tunnel or take the ferry. The euro tunnel runs approximately every 15 minutes from Folkestone and takes 35 minutes. Prices start from £90 each way. You can book your crossing online at - https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/home/.

Once across the Channel it only takes around 10 hours to drive to the resort by motorway. Many people head first to Reims to avoid the Paris traffic, then down to Dijon and onto Geneva.

Ferry

The ferry runs from both Dover to Calais and Hull to Zeebrugge. The Dover ferry operates up to 23 times a day and takes 90 minutes, and the Hull services operates overnight arricing in Seebrugge at 0845am.

On arrival in France (or Belgium if you are taking the ferry to Zeebrugge!) remember to drive on the right hand side of the road. It is important to note that there are several tolls on route down to the Alps, the prices depend on which section of road you use but the total cost will be approximately €75 in total.

European travel/vehicle requirements are very strict and on-spot fines can be issued if you don’t have: headlight converters, GB sticker, warning triangle, spare bulbs, high viz vests for each passenger in the car and breathalysers.

In certain weather conditions, the roads may become snowy and icy and although local municipalities are very good and keeping the roads clear, it can be dangerous so it is important to take extra care and attention when driving. It is a legal requirement in France to carry snow chains in your vehicle or police will refuse you access to certain roads. When driving in these conditions, slow down when you encounter any snow, use high gears to avoid wheel spin, and keep moving when driving up an incline on snow.

When to Go

Courchevel’s winter ski season typically cranks into action in December, before the celebratory Christmas and New Year weeks, and runs through to the season’s sunny close at the end of April or thereabouts. The resort’s various villages enjoy a base-altitude of between 1,260 to 1,800 metres above sea level, with groomed pistes reaching up to 3,230 metres – with this altitude, Courchevel boasts a wonderfully good snow record which is augmented by artificial snow-making facilities heading down the lower slopes.

Early-season

The festive Christmas and New Year weeks are the first of Courchevel’s peak dates in the winter season, and the festive celebrations are wonderful! Visitors to Courchevel in the early season weeks are in the perfect place to make the most of varied, high-altitude pistes and strong early-season snowfall.

Mid-season

January and February in Courchevel offer colder temperatures and frequent fresh snow fall, most notably on the higher slopes. The February half term weeks mean families and youngsters head to the snowy slopes of Courchevel, and the resort’s expansive off-piste terrain keeps expert skiers and snowboarders happy.

Late-season

April in Courchevel is a time of early mornings and early après ski, in order to make the most of the prevailing snow conditions. At this altitude, the snow coverage is superb all the way up to the end of April, but of course the rising temperatures do take their toll. Visitors typically enjoy freshly-bashed corduroy pistes in the morning and softer, slushy snow in the afternoon – especially lower down toward the lower of the villages.

Where to Stay

Courchevel is split into 4 main villages – 1850, Moriond/1650, Village/1150 and Le Praz 1300.

1850

Courchevel 1850 is considered the main hub of the resort, the whole resort is targeted at the ultra-rich and the town is incredibly expensive. The resort is filled with luxury chalets, plenty of which are ski in/ski out and there are very few low-mid range accommodation options.

1850 is split into 4 areas – Jardin Alpin, La Croisette, Resort Centre and Forum

Jardin Alpin is one of the most exclusive areas with lots of ski in/ski out chalets.

La Croisette is where the main lifts meet and where you will find lots of shops and restaurants.

The resort centre is where all the shops/restaurants/bars are and you are able to ski right into the centre.

Forum is the cheaper area of resort.

Moriond/1650

Moriond is the most down-to-earth village in Courchevel. There are a large number of shops/bars/restaurants here as well as plenty of accommodation at reasonable prices. Moriond is located at the furthest of 3V so it is quite far to get to most slopes.

Village/ 1550

Courchevel 1550 is a quiet and peaceful village and is a popular choice for families. The resort isn’t the prettiest and there isn’t a lot going on in terms of bars and nightlife but it does offer easy access to the higher pistes.

Le Praz/ 1300

Courchevel Le Praz is a peaceful and pretty alpine village. The village is very small with not a lot going on. There are some good restaurants but very few bars. Le Praz offers good access to the higher pistes but due to its low altitude, the home runs can get slushy.

Getting around

There are several ‘navette gratuite’ bus services that operate across the resort and link down to Bozel. There are 7 different lines:

•   Line A and C: Le Carrey – Saint-Bon – Le Praz – Village – Aquamotion – Moriand – Courchevel
•   Line B: Le Praz – La Tania
•   Line D: Village – Les Brigues
•   Line E & F: Jardin Alpin – Pralong – Altiport
•   Line G: Courchevel– Chenus

• Line H: Moriand – Belevedere

There is a bus that runs to Meribel and takes 20 minutes. The bus only operates 4 times a day so taxing a taxi may be a better option.

To get to La Tania, you would have to travel to Le Praz and take Line B.

Apres

Courchevel itself hasn’t got that much going on in terms of après ski so it is best to head over to Meribel if you are looking for that on mountain action.

Moriond offers the biggest range of bars to choose from, and you can find everything from traditional cafes and chic French cocktail bars to lively clubs with an international flavour. Lower down the valley, an absolute must-visit for anyone staying in Le Praz is l’Eléphant, a lively bar with buzzing après ski and regular live music. It’s so good, many people from the higher villages come down here to start their nights out before heading back up to the bright lights of Moriond and Courchevel!

The famous Folie Douce is located near the mid station of Saulire Express. The open terrace is known for its wild entertainment with DJ’s, singers, dancers and musicians putting on a fantastic show; and The ‘Ronnie’ (Rond Point) have some of the best live music and parties around.

If you want to stay in Courchevel itself then Verdons Restaurant is located at the top of 1850 and has a large outdoor terrace.

Kudeta is located at the foot of the slopes in Courchevel 1850 and is open from midday. The bar has a large outdoor terrace so you can pop in for a few après ski drinks and party late into the night.

In the evenings, there are a few options....

In 1650, Funky Fox is a great place to party. The bar hosts specialist nights including the infamous Bubble and Crisp DJ set on Sunday Funday.

There are several nightclubs in Courchevel 1850 , these include La Grange, Les Caves, L’Equipe, Nokken and Le Coyotte.

Eating out

Courchevel is nothing short of good places to eat with a host of Michelin starred restaurants (the majority of which are in 1850)
•   L’Azimut         1*
•   Farcon (La Tania)      1*
•   Le Baumanière (Strato)   1*
•   Hotel Le K2          1*
•   Chabichou      2*
•   Les Airelles      2*
•   K2 Altitude         2*
•   Cheval Blanc                  3*

However, there are still some good value places to eat in 1850 but cheaper places will be found in 1650 and other Three Valley resorts.

Good for Couples

Azimut

Le Praz

Courchevel

+33 4 79 06 25 90

Good for Couples

L'Arbe

Rue des Verdons

Courchevel

+33 4 79 41 22 80

Good for Couples

Le Chabichou

Rue des Chenus

Courchevel

+33 4 79 08 00 55

Good for Family

Black Pearl

Rue des Reisses

Saint-Bon-Tarentaise

Courchevel

+33 4 79 07 15 60

Good for Family

Tremplin

La Croisette

Courchevel

+33 4 79 08 06 19

Good for Friends

Black Pearl

Rue des Reisses

Saint-Bon-Tarentaise

Courchevel

+33 4 79 07 15 60

Good for Friends

Le Bel Air

On Piste Restaurant

Courchevel 1650

Courchevel

+ 33 4 79 08 00 93

Good for Friends

Le Bistrot du Praz

Rue de la Chapelle,

Courchevel

+33 4 79 08 41 33

Activities

Courchevel offers a range of activities for non skiers including:

•   Ice Skating
•   Nordic walking
•   Bowling
•   2 km toboggan run
•   Aquapark and wellness centre
•   Plane and Helicopter flights
•   Skydiving
•   Cookery courses
•   Snow cat driving

Air tours

Résidence la Saretta, N°14

Courchevel

+33 4 79 00 20 64

Heli tours, Dog Sledding, Paragliding

Courchevel

+44 779 664 0841

Ice skating & Bowling

Courchevel

+33 479 08 33 23

Ski School

There are several different ski schools available in Courchevel who offer both private and group lessons to suit all abilities of skier/boarder. Group lessons are more sociable and will work generally work out cheaper but the service is less personal than you would receive in a private lesson.

New Generation have a ski school in 1650 and 1850. The school teaches all levels of skiers and boarders in both group and private lessons and aim to match you to an instructor with the most suited skills or passions.

ESF has been running for over 70 years and have fully qualified English speaking instructors to help you improve your skills. ESF offer group and private lessons as well as mountain guiding for all abilities. The ESF ski school is located in 1850.

Supreme Ski provides lessons with top qualified instructors. They offer a range of services including private ski lessons, adult group lesson, children’s ski school and snowboard lessons.

Momentum Snowsports are a small British ski school providing ski lessons for children and adults in Courchevel.

Oxygene are the leading family-friendly, English speaking ski and snowboard school in the French Alps. Their ski school meeting point is in 1850.

British Alpine Ski and Snowboard School (BASS) have a reputation for excellence. They have a maximum of 6 people in their group lessons to give you individual attention.

Getting around

There are several ‘navette gratuite’ bus services that operate across the resort and link down to Bozel. There are 7 different lines:

• Line H: Moriand – Belevedere

There is a bus that runs to Meribel and takes 20 minutes. The bus only operates 4 times a day so taxing a taxi may be a better option.

To get to La Tania, you would have to travel to Le Praz and take Line B.

Family ski

For families looking for childcare, there are three types of care available in the Alps. Booking into a local crèche, booking with a package operator who have in-house childcare and booking a private nanny.

Crèche Facilities

ESF operate kids clubs for children from 18 months.

Package operators with childcare

Booking with a tour operator can be the easiest and most convenient form of care. Families prefer to stay with an operator who are able to offer a crèche with English speaking staff and provide similar style care that you would receive in the UK. The tour operators offer a range of activities for all ages and you can book as much or as little throughout the day as you feel comfortable with. The operators run a structured day of activities including ski school suitable for each age group.

Espirit Ski offer a range of childcare from 17 months and ski lessons from 3 years in their Chalet Hotel Crystal 2000 in Courchevel 1850.

Private nanny companies

There are a few private nanny companies that are operating in Courchevel who provide flexible levels of high quality care. The agencies are able to provide nannies on a one-to-one basis or supply a couple of nannies to care for a group of children. The childcare can take place on the piste of in the chalets depending on the children’s ages and your preference. The nannies will normally get in touch with you before your arrival in resort allowing you to give them as much information about your child as possible. In general, this method offers the most in-depth and bespoke childcare problem.

Recommended private nanny companies in Courchevel:

Merinannies is a professional private nanny service in Courchevel that has been providing first class childcare for skiing families.

Snowbug provides friendly and trustworthy private nannies.

My Travelling Nanny is a family run specialist holiday nanny agency who match families with the perfect Travelling Nanny for their holiday.

Group Ski

Courchevel as a whole offers skiable terrain suited to all levels of skier or snowboarder, with gentle slopes and steep couloirs across the valleys.

All-mountain adventure for snow-lovers of all levels

For skiers looking to progress away from the nursery slopes onto proper runs, the pistes under the Biollay, Pralong and Coqs chairlifts and the first leg of the Verdons gondola in Courchevel are all perfect. In Moriond, you have the blue pistes under the Granges, Marquis and 3 Vallees chairlifts as well as the very broad, undulating slope which runs under the Ariondaz gondola and takes you back to resort.

Strong skiers looking for a challenge can test their mettle by starting at the Saulire peak and skiing non-stop to le Praz. All of the slopes above la Croisette in Courchevel join into other runs as you descend the mountain, and there are many different routes to explore.

Powder and backcountry enthusiasts can try their hand at Courchevel’s infamous couloirs, and the most popular one sits between two rock faces atop the Saulire mountain on the Courchevel side. Do be warned though, it’s not for the faint-hearted!

Accommodation to meet all requirements

Some of the Alps’ very finest ski chalets are located in Courchevel, with a clientele ranging from royal families and Russian oligarchs to sports stars, singers and Hollywood’s finest. However it isn’t just the high and mighty and glitterati who flock to Courchevel, as British skiers make up the majority of visitors to this iconic resort.

To suit such a varied client base, Courchevel offers wide range of accommodation options throughout the various villages. A good number of different UK tour operators run chalets and hotels across all four villages, and the independent chalet and hotel market is also very well represented.

Families with children are perhaps best off focusing their search in Courchevel (1850) and Moriond, where piste-side properties offer hassle-free access to the high-altitude ski slopes. Courchevel offers properties with in-house childcare options available such as kids’ clubs and ski lesson supervision, and there is also a good range of independent childcare companies in operation with fully qualified British nannies to meet demand of visitors from the UK.

Courchevel and the Three Valleys

Up on the mountain, Courchevel’s ski area is truly spectacular. Visitors can choose the local area lift pass to cover the Courchevel valley alone (with 1-day upgrades possible,) or the full Three Valleys area. The majority of the pistes are beautifully groomed every night, leaving early-bird skiers with wonderful fresh corduroy pistes to enjoy each morning, and the altitude ensures good snow coverage all season long.

Some of the best beginner slopes in the Alps can be found above la Croisette in Courchevel 1850, where the Saulire’s broad mountainside offers gentle gradient perfect for learners mastering those tricky first turns. Ski access is easy across all four of Courchevel’s separate villages, so learners waste little time and energy getting to and from the pistes.

Intermediates can take their pick of the outstanding selection of blue and red pistes that line the entire valley, and the unique layout of the local ski area makes it a joy to explore. Advanced skiers and boarders can tackle the area’s steeper red and black runs, where the off-piste potential is fantastic. The infamous grand couloir atop the Saulire peak is a real highlight, suitable only for truly competent and practised skiers.

The chairlifts and gondolas are modern and swift, with regular upgrades at the end of eac winter season. Travelling around the slopes is easy, and strong skiers can stay in Courchevel and criss-cross the Three Valleys to Val Thorens in a day. Courchevel’s high altitude is also a boon, offering excellent early season snow and full coverage all season long.

Childcare

Courchevel and its surrounding towns and villages combine to offer a wealth of facilities aimed at youngsters, from cinemas and indoor climbing walls to toboggan runs, snow-shoeing and husky sledding, swimming pools, and a world of outdoor adventure away from the slopes. If bad weather keeps you off the groomed pistes, there are plenty of other ways to stay engaged and entertained in-resort.

Parents looking for childcare services in Courchevel have a wide selection of possibilities to consider, including in-house services in their chalet or hotel, ski school nursery places, or experienced nannies who know the resort well. Properties such as the Hotel Crystal 2000 run amazing in-house childcare services, with options including nursery, ski play, morning or afternoon ski lessons, supervised lunches, and evening entertainments – so mums and dads can rest assured the kids are well cared-for throughout the day.

The ski schools are amazingly well-tailored to the needs of youngsters, and good tuition can make or break a learner skier’s resolve. Courchevel’s many international ski schools are superb, and beginners are in remarkably good hands. Schools such as New Generation, Oxygène, BASS and The Snow School operate alongside the long-serving Ecole de Ski Français to provide a wealth of different options, and with youngsters and beginners comprehensively covered.

Whether you’re looking for children’s beginner classes, refresher lessons, or more specialised clinics, the ski schools in Courchevel have classes to meet a broad range of requirements. Courses are available for half days or full days and can run from one-day-only to the full week of your stay. Researching and booking lessons in advance of arrival in resort is advised as it takes a little time to weigh up the various options and prices, and it’s good peace of mind to know your meeting point and time beforehand.

The Piste

Beginners

There are four beginner areas in Courchevel known as ‘Evolution Zones’. The best beginner area is located next to the altiport at Pralong, near Courchevel 1850 however the home run can be a bit daunting for beginners with the fast traffic coming through so they might be better of starting at the Evolution Zone sandwiched between the Biollay and Jardin Alpin ski lifts which provide a good network of greens. The green runs at 1650 are accessed by the Mickey chairlift.

Intermediates

Courchevel offers a good mix of tree-lined and high-altitude skiing and the resort is excellent for intermediates, with around 70% of the runs being blues or reds. The less experienced intermediates will prefer to head to 1650 as the entire area features blues and reds only, whereas the more advanced intermediates can head to 1850 where they will find some fantastic red runs in particular those off the top of the Vizelle and Saulire lifts.

Experts

The Saulire/Creux sector is a good spot for expert skiers with plenty of red and black runs. The Grand Couloir in particular is one of the more challenging pistes in resort and is accessed by riding up on the right side of the Saulire cable car. The black runs towards Le Praz are ideal when visibility isn’t so good.

The easiest and safest off-piste area is the Bel Aire area above Courchevel Moriond, either side of Pyramide/Signal/Chapelets. There are also well-known pistes of Col du Fruit and Vallee des Avals area. If you are planning on heading off piste then it is recommended that you have a guide and it’s crucial to have a 3 Valleys pass as you never know where you might end up.

Ski School

Supreme Ski provides lessons with top qualified instructors. They offer a range of services including private ski lessons, adult group lesson, children’s ski school and snowboard lessons.

Momentum Snowsports are a small British ski school providing ski lessons for children and adults in Courchevel.

Oxygene are the leading family-friendly, English speaking ski and snowboard school in the French Alps. Their ski school meeting point is in 1850.

British Alpine Ski and Snowboard School (BASS) have a reputation for excellence. They have a maximum of 6 people in their group lessons to give you individual attention.

Equipment Hire

Lift Passes

There are two types of lift passes available in Courchevel. The Courchevel local area pass which covers the local valley only or the full Three Valleys pass. Most skiers will buy the 6 day pass as it allows you explore more pistes however it is of course more expensive.

6 Day Ski Pass   Courchevel Valley Pass   Three Valley Pass
Adult (13-64yrs)   €256 €300
Child (5-12yrs)    €205 €240
Senior (65-75yrs)   €231 €270

Discounted prices are available for groups of two
(Duo) or more (Tribu). These are only valid on 6,7 or 8 day passes and
are only available for passes bought at the same time, online for the
same duration in the same ski area in a single transaction. Special
discounts are available for groups of 20 plus.

6 Day Courchevel Valley Pass Three Valley Pass

2 Persons Duo Pass €240 €290

(price per person)

3 Persons Tribu Pass €241 €285

(price per person)

Free passes are available for under 5s and over 75s. Proof of age is required.

Family passes
are available where all members pay the child’s rate. Family passes are
available to families of: 2 parents + 2 children (5-17years) and any
extra child. The passes are only valid when at least 4 passes are bought
at the same time for the same duration and ski area.

For beginners, there are several mini-passes available:
•   1850: Altiport, Bellecote, Cospillot, Etoiles, Ferme, Rocher de l’Ombre, Sources, Jardin Alpin, Verdons & Golf
•   1650: Belvedere, Mickey, Petit Bosse, Ariondaz & Petit Moriond
•   1550: Roys, Grangettes, Tovets
•   1300: Envolee & Le Praz

• La Tania: Troika, Tania & Mon Tania

Mini passes vary from €22.50 to €26 per day depending on location.

You
can pre-book your lift pass online from the lift pass office or buy it
in resort when you arrive. Alternatively, you can pre-book you basses
through the operator you are staying with who will deliver the pass for
you upon your arrival. This is generally the easiest and most convenient
method of purchase as you don’t have to worry about the hassle of going
to pick it up and can straight out on the slopes on you first day.